Cabergoline vs Bromocriptine: Multicenter RCT
New England Journal of Medicine (1994)
Normalized prolactin in 83% vs 59% with bromocriptine, with significantly fewer adverse effects.
Cabergoline
Oral tablet (0.5mg)Available in all 50 statesMarketing purposes only. Actual medications, if prescribed, are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
hormones
CabergolineCabergoline
Long-acting ergot-derived dopamine D2 receptor agonist for hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas. Highly effective at reducing prolactin, shrinking tumors, and restoring gonadal function. Once- or twice-weekly dosing.
Normalizes prolactin in >80% of patients
Shrinks prolactinomas in most patients
Twice-weekly dosing
Restores testosterone and fertility in men
No commitment · HSA/FSA eligibleNo commitment · HSA/FSA eligible
How it works
Mechanism of action
High-affinity D2 receptor agonism on pituitary lactotrophs inhibits prolactin synthesis and secretion. Long half-life (63 to 69 hours) enables weekly dosing. Restores GnRH pulsatility suppressed by hyperprolactinemia.
The baseline panel.
Every Marek client receives this baseline panel before a provider review. Your provider may add additional biomarkers based on your health history, symptoms, and goals, pulling from 1,000+ available markers. See more biomarkers →
Hormone Profile
12 markers
Sex hormones
- Total TestosteroneLC/MS
- Free TestosteroneEquilibrium Dialysis
- Estradiol, Sensitive / UltrasensitiveLC/MS
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- ProgesteroneLC/MSFemale panel
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- hCG, Total, QuantitativeFemale panel, pre-menopause
Adrenals & neurosteroids
- Cortisol
- DHEA-S
Growth hormone / IGF-1
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1)
Thyroid Status
3 markers
Thyroid hormones
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T4
- Free T3
Heart Health
9 markers
Cardiovascular health
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- LDL:HDL Ratio
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB)
- C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Metabolism
3 markers
Insulin sensitivity
- Blood Glucose
- Fasting Insulin
- HbA1c
Organ Function
26 markers
Liver & pancreas
- AST
- ALT
- Bilirubin, Total
- γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Kidney function
- BUN
- Creatinine w/ eGFR
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Glucose
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Carbon Dioxide, Total
- Calcium
- Protein, Total
- Albumin
- Globulin, Total
- Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- AST
- ALT
Prostate health
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)Male panel
- Free PSAMale panel
- % Free PSAMale panel
Nutrient Status
31 markers
Vitamins & minerals
- Vitamin D, 25-OHD (25-Hydroxy)
- Magnesium, RBC
Iron status
- Iron
- Iron Saturation
- TIBC
- UIBC
- Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- White Blood Count (WBC)
- Red Blood Count (RBC)
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Hematocrit (HCT)
- MCV
- MCH
- MCHC
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
- Neutrophils (Absolute)
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes (Absolute)
- Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio
- Monocytes
- Monocytes (Absolute)
- Eosinophils
- Eosinophils (Absolute)
- Basophils
- Basophils (Absolute)
- Immature Cells
- Immature Granulocytes
- Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)
- NRBC, w/ Reflex for Immature Cells
Clinical evidence
The research behind Cabergoline.
Safety profile
Monitoring & safety information.
Commonly reported side effects
- Nausea
- Dizziness/orthostatic hypotension
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Constipation
Less common but serious risks
- Cardiac valve fibrosis (at Parkinson's doses, NOT prolactinoma doses)
- Impulse control disorders (rare at low doses)
- Psychiatric effects (rare)
Generally not appropriate for
- Hypersensitivity to ergot alkaloids
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Severe liver disease
Typical monitoring
- Serum prolactin every 1 to 3 months
- MRI pituitary (for prolactinoma)
- Testosterone, LH, FSH
- Blood pressure
- Echocardiogram (only if high-dose long-term)
FAQ
Quick answers.
Long-acting ergot-derived dopamine D2 receptor agonist for hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas. Highly effective at reducing prolactin, shrinking tumors, and restoring gonadal function. Once- or twice-weekly dosing.
Normalizes prolactin in >80% of patients. Shrinks prolactinomas in most patients. Twice-weekly dosing. Restores testosterone and fertility in men. Better tolerated than bromocriptine.
Common side effects include: nausea, dizziness/orthostatic hypotension, headache, fatigue, constipation. Most side effects are dose-dependent and may resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Long-acting ergot-derived dopamine D2 receptor agonist for hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas. Highly effective at reducing prolactin, shrinking tumors, and restoring gonadal function. Once- or twice-weekly dosing.
Treatments are dependent on licensed clinical prescription. Client costs vary based on individual labs and panel in treatments and services.